The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-12-29

Mr.. JOHN SCHUErTE under the caption
Surplus offers some suggestions
through local paper as to the DISPOSE
ton of the surplus in the national treas
ury. No one will question his argument
that the large cities have been the sole
benefciaries Of appropriations for public
buildings, or that the distribution OF the
surplus SO as to give the smaller places a
share of the "swag," would be so popular
that officers would not dare to interpose
their judgment in opposition to public
appetite whetted by the presentation of
a delicate morsel,
But craftsmanship would be better ex-
ercised in attempting to reduce taxes so
that the accumulation in the treasury
would not be so much in excess of the
| legitimate needs of the government as to
| require the exercise of ingenuity to de-
wise means whereby it may be returned
| to general circulation. It is indeed
doubtful compliment to pay govern
ment that it taxes its people SO heavily
that extravaganza is made to appear as a
virtue and is urged as a means of restor-
| ing equilibrium between income and out
| lay. Those who look upon surplus with
complacent feelings seem to think the
government has produced that much
wealth and not collected it from the peo-
pie. This is the error which makes pos
sible that feeling of qualification whose
chief exponent Fred Grant is.
Mr.. Schuette wants to return that sur
| plus to the people and wants the distri-
button to be equitable among those who
contributed toward it. We, free traders,
want the amount represented by the sur
plus to remain with the people, and to
collect from them only what is needed
for legitimate expenses. and we denounce
the surplus as an e1tortion instead of re-
garding it as blessing and an evidence OF
national prosperity. Can Mr.. Schuette
devise any plan for the distribution OF
that surplus which will more certainly
give to each community the share to
which it is justly entitled because of its
contribution, than to leave with each In
dividual what is now collected from him
beyond his just proportion of the expen-
ses of government?
The surplus in the treasury is a stand
ing invitation to extravagant and need
less appropriations. 1t attracts the eyes
of the greedy and the demagogue seeks
popularity by introducing bills to squan-
der it in communities which will sound
his praises for activity in their behalf
1t has created an insatiate appetite fol
pensions and has blasted local effort to
promote education in the south. 1t is
debauching the public and is creating thu
idea that the government should do fol
for themselves without government in
tervention.
The question is not what shall be done
with the surplus now in the treasury
The future demands attention. Appro-
priations more lavish than necessary
may temporarily remove alarm. But the
evil which created the state of affairs re.
mains. A remedy applied to little out.
growth of bad system is deceptive and
dangerous. Reduce taxation and you
tear out the root from which the little
shoot known as the surplus, has sprung
And beside, the surplus is but mere
sample Of what our present tariff is doing
1t is an infnitesimal part of the burden
imposed upon the people through con-
tinUance of war taxes. The tax upon the
people is not to be measured by the en-
tire expenses of the government plus the
surplus. This is mere tri1e compared
with the aggregate sum resulting from
the increase in price of articles of do
nestle manufacture because of the tariff
levied by the manufacturer. 1t is the
surplus" above actual values and which
goes into the pockets of manufacturers
bearing the label protection" which
free traders pronounce an imposition
The treasury surplus is merely an indi-
Gator. 1t is the little shoot exposed to
view. It is tangible, palpable and having
these characteristics is generally regard
ed as the only outgrowth of the system
which demands attention. But it is the
weakest head of the protection hydra.
|